Farmers of Punjab, who are protesting to increase the support price of sugarcane crop, have blocked the National Highway near Phagwara in Jalandhar. Traffic is getting affected due to the jam here and people are facing a lot of trouble. This protest is being organized by the Doaba Kisan Sangharsh Committee against the government of Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh.
Farmers have put this jam on the Amritsar-Delhi National Highway. Farmer leader Manjit Singh said that the Punjab government has not increased the support price of sugarcane in the last 5 years. That’s why farmers are protesting here. Due to this jam on the National Highway, the traffic on both sides has been disturbed and long queues of vehicles have formed.
Farmers say that till the Punjab government does not increase the support price of sugarcane crop, then this dharna will continue. The police administration has already diverted traffic from Jalandhar to prevent traffic jams on the highway. Trains going from Delhi to Amritsar and Chandigarh to Amritsar are facing a lot of problems. Trains have to pass through many villages.
Farmer leader Manjit Singh said that to stop the dharna, the Punjab government increased the support price of sugarcane by Rs 15 per quintal, which is very less. In Haryana, the support price of sugarcane is getting Rs 398 per quintal. Whereas in Punjab a price of Rs 310 per quintal is being given. He said that the Punjab government should make it Rs 400 per quintal as the cost of sugarcane production has increased a lot.
Manjit Singh said, the prices of all things have increased. There has been a substantial increase in the rates of fertilizers, diesel and wages. Therefore, the expenses of the farmer have exceeded the profits. In such a situation, farmers should get the rate of sugarcane at the rate of Rs 400 per quintal.
Farmers say that the Punjab government is not increasing the support price of sugarcane to benefit the big sugar mills. Although the price of sugar is also very good, due to which these sugar mills are making good profits. While the farmers are not even getting their wages.
In the last 2 years, the farmers’ dues of Rs 200 crore have not yet been paid, which they should get soon. Farmers said that if the Punjab government does not increase the support price of sugarcane, then they will also give a call for Punjab Bandh in the coming time.
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